Head Above the Water [Closed]

With the naming of his forth apprentice, the warrior had finally managed to convince himself that it was time to actually train the lot of them instead of busying them with menial tasks and patrol orders. Today, it would begin. Dread settled itself in the massive tabby's chest. As of late, he would rather face a badger than speak to other cats. It was mostly due to a churning torrent of internal hatred and welling sadness at the encounter between him and Pricklepaw. Since the death of Beepaw, a seed of confusion and budding self-disdain had become buried somewhere behind his consciousness. After Birdflight's wounds, his attack on the Skyclan apprentice, and a more direct affirmation from adopted kin, Beartooth had found the deep pit of emotions within. His eyes were exhausted, dull, and void of their usual candor. It was more than his usual neutral expression, something deadened and stoic in nature.

Beartooth waited near the camp entrance, just outside the walls where no cat would pester him beyond the four who he was duty-bound to train. Instead of sitting, the warrior waited on all fours although his emotionally exhausted state threatened to fell him to the ground as it normally did in these recent days. His claws sunk deep into the earth, steadying him as he waited. Underneath the light of the rising sun, his festering wounds appeared fresh, alight by the rays that managed to cut through the barren treeline. Between the appearance of fresh blood, coupled with a myriad of scars from other battles and the fangs and claws of his deformity, the tabby looked like a truly imposing force at that moment. It was enough to send a kit to the space between its mother's paws out of fear. He was as monstrous as Pricklepaw said after all. This was the thought that kept him from delighting in the heat from those rays of light, despite that fact it helped to drive away the chill of leafbare. Hopefully, his apprentices would arrive soon.

Dawnpaw arrived first. She was eager to start soon so she could get this day over with already. Her frustrations with her mentor assignment still hadn't passed, but she was determined to handle it with dignity. Surely this was a test, wasn't it? It couldn't be real. They'd see how amazing and talented she was and give her a mentor that could match her abilities and properly train at her instead of stare at her with dead eyes. She sat across from Beartooth, saying nothing and returning his vacant stare, void and blocking her true emotions. Her fluffy fur was neatly groomed and her tail was tucked across her paws. She knew he had other apprentices, another fact that ruined every day of her waking life these days, and so she sat patiently and waited for the slackers to appear.

Lynxpaw had quickly grown accustomed to his new home in the forest. He'd investigated each nook and cranny and memorized every stone and tuft of grass. The small, brown-furred apprentice was desperate to learn everything he could about Thunderclan. Perhaps then he'd finally be accepted. Perhaps then, they wouldn't leave him behind.
There was something different about him. Something bad. The thought dug into the back of his mind like a sharp stone underfoot. Every time he talked to another cat it was there, reminding him that he was bad and wrong and broken. Why else would Mama abandon him?
Another question plagued the young tom's mind. Why was he the only one affected by the Difference? His siblings were perfect as far as he could tell; they moved, acted, and even spoke just like the others. Their ability to blend in only made Lynxpaw feel worse. They'd still be living with Mama if it weren't for him. After everything he did to protect and care for them, it was his fault that they ended up alone in the forest in the first place.

The long-legged apprentice stretched, glancing around camp. The camp was bustling, as it usually was by this time. The wild-furred tom watched, enraptured, as patrols of cats arrived and departed. They worked together seamlessly, their pelts and claws blending into one. It was beautiful.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?"
"Oh! Uh..." The black cat was right. He was going to be late...


"Beartooth!" The young apprentice nearly tripped over his large paws as he trotted through the bracken tunnel, his wild pelt catching on the thorns that lined the walls. "Sorry, I slept in." Every word was carefully planned. He had to act perfectly if he didn't want to be left behind.

Badgerpaw rushed out of the apprentice out into the clearing of camp, his face a mixture of emotions. Today was the day! He'd actually start training today! And he slept in! Hooray!

Wait.

He skidded to a stop as the thought settled in. He'd slept in on his first day of training, Beartooth had to be furious! But he couldn't just bumble into training like a rabid fox. He was an apprentice now, he knew better. So, sending a sheepish smile to a few warriors watching him with amused confusion, he trotted to the camp entrance where Beartooth, Dawnpaw and Lynxpaw were waiting. He came to a stop and offered Beartooth an embarrassed smile.

The white she cat scampered out after her brother Badgerpaw tail flicking happily as she drew her tongue over her cream spotted tabby marked pelt her bright greeen blue eyes sparkling happily as Snowpae joined her brother and mentor along with the other apprentices"Ready to go"She mewed only to realize she was the last one to arrive. Her ears lowered some as it sunk in."sorry im late"she mewed

Several moments of awkward silence stretched between the tom and Lichenmask's daughter. He said nothing but acknowledged her with a slight twist of his head. Speaking to an entire gaggle of apprentices would be more than enough and he didn't want to exhaust his raw throat so early into the session. The bulky tabby treated the others with an equally lame greeting. Anything more seemed to be out of reach of his current enthusiasm levels. Not that the tom had ever been known for his vibrant personality but now it was dimmer than the dying forest underneath their paws. The brightest part of him was those clawmarks, burned by the sun. He cast a brief glance over the four young cats gathered around and headed off. Finally answered the multitude of apologies, Beartooth meowed lowly, allowing his voice to carry over the wind, "You all made it. That is what matters."

While his footfalls were heavy, his appearance gave an air of knowledge, or rather, experience. Muscular coat covered with the scars of his various fights in his moons of life left him looking like one of Thunderclan's veterans that had fought seasons upon seasons against those who threatened their lived. In reality, this was far from the truth. It was his first leafbare as much as it was theirs. And the seemingly confidant strides were directionless. Ahead there was a clearing. Snowdrifts, dazzling underneath the bright rays, were tossed lazily around a small break in the territory. He stopped. Footfalls showed the abrupt motion. For a moment, Beartooth just starred ahead, mind slowly churning over the options for training and his lack of ability to think clearly about anything.

"We'll train here," Beartooth said finally, urging them forward with a flick of his tail. Territory sights could wait for the many patrols they would undoubtedly be on. Dawnpaw's pelt caught his eye and he couldn't help but briefly think about what the others thought of her. It was a flickering thought, merely flitting through his mind and instead of mulling over the other apprentices, he turned his sights back to the space before them, "Pair up. You will spar another apprentice." Simplistic instructions as they were, the warrior felt them simple enough. Battle training was useful, especially if leafbear was to bring any dispute with other clans. Plus, it gave him an excuse not to use his own claws and merely watch from the sidelines.

ooc: pardon the crap post

Dawnpaw remained silent, motionless as the other apprentices appeared and issued their apologies to their mentor. She was unimpressed, of course, but she could be gloomy later. Now was the time for work, and her ears pricked with interest as Beartooth began to speak. His response was lackluster. She didn't know why she expected better, and merely fixed a bored look as she waited for instructions. Dawnpaw shifted, impatient, when Beartooth had anther blank episode, and stood to follow in case he actually decided to go anywhere. The she-cat's tail flicked at the news of sparring, and Dawnpaw looked over the other apprentices. Lynxpaw was one of those rogue kits that had been dragged in and promptly adopted and was easily her last choice. She didn't know anything about Badgerpaw or Snowpaw and blindly chose Snowpaw, moving to sit next to her as a symbol of her choice.